Trump Distances Himself from Decision to Return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to U.S. Amid New Trafficking Charges

Hadisur Rahman, Jadetimes Staff   

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering the USA

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Image Source: Sudiksha Kochi

Former President Donald Trump said in a recent interview that he played no role in the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, emphasizing that the decision was made by the Justice Department, not the White House.

In a June 7 interview with NBC News, Trump stated, “It wasn’t my decision,” regarding the controversial transfer of Abrego Garcia from El Salvador. “The U.S. Justice Department decided to do it that way, and that’s fine,” he added, distancing himself from the legal maneuver that has sparked renewed political and legal debate.

Abrego Garcia, a Maryland-based sheet metal worker and father of three, was deported to El Salvador in March despite a 2019 court order barring his removal. His deportation ignited tensions between the Trump administration, the judiciary, and congressional Democrats, drawing national attention to the handling of immigration enforcement and due process.

In April, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Trump administration must “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return, asserting that his deportation defied existing legal protections. However, federal officials argued they could not compel El Salvador, a sovereign nation, to hand over an individual in custody.

The administration has long alleged that Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the MS-13 gang, though a federal judge has questioned the credibility of that evidence. Abrego Garcia has consistently denied any gang involvement.

Upon his return, Abrego Garcia now faces new federal charges. At a press conference on June 6, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced an indictment alleging that he orchestrated a human smuggling operation involving more than 100 trips to transport undocumented immigrants into the United States. The indictment claims that Abrego Garcia and his co-conspirators coordinated with contacts across El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, and Mexico, transporting individuals from Houston to Maryland and using fabricated cover stories including false claims of construction employment to avoid detection.

“This should be a very easy case,” Trump remarked during the NBC interview, expressing confidence in the federal prosecution.

However, Abrego Garcia’s legal team sharply criticized the charges. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, his attorney, condemned the Justice Department’s handling of the case: “Due process means the chance to defend yourself before you're punished, not after. This is an abuse of power, not justice.”

The case continues to generate scrutiny over the intersection of immigration enforcement, judicial oversight, and executive authority issues likely to remain in focus as the 2026 election cycle approaches.